Racism, Crime, and Justice in America - Report Example

Introduction ICAL THEORIES Sociologists use three theoretical perspectives in explaining how people are influenced by society or how society is influenced by people. Human behavior, social forces and society at large are conceptualized by the perspectives; functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic Interactionism as seen in the acts of Rosenfeld and Messner below: Structural functionalist Messner and Rosenfeld depict society as a structure containing interrelated parts hence acting as structural functionalists (2). Society is seen as a whole due to constituent element’s functions of other non economic institutions such as customs traditions and norms being recognize to make Americans to be proud (Bowling& Phillips 9).Organs working together for the whole body to function well is recognize since money value is not regarded as the only element that can make Americans to be prestigious of their culture. All aspects in society are independent but contribute to society to function as a whole. Rosenfeld and Messner regard monetary success as a main component of the dream of America due to the fact that the nation’s dream cannot be a fixation. They recognize that all Americans are proud of their personal materials and corresponding comforts and prestige that come as a result of individual success. The evaluations and beliefs about American Dream are seen in America’s culture since they are components of the culture. Looking at American’s dream, a lot of emphasis is laid on monetary success as weak emphasis is put on the strength of legitimate means used in pursuing success. Organic solidarity and social cohesion through interdependence of people in society who accept varied beliefs and values in society is indicated since Americans work independently but share the opportunities that come as a result of unity such as lack of crimes and achieving the dream. Occur in complex and industrialized societies. Social change viewed as undesirable since varied parts of society will automatically compensate for problems arising. However, Messner and Rosenfeld show that pressures used in securing monetary rewards are structurally and culturally achieved (115). Also, it becomes clear that weak controls from social institutions promote instrumental crimes. Social institutions are weak since they are non economic. Rosenfeld and Messner show that economic conditions on crimes which are related to profits depend on non economic institution’s strength (3). People not encouraged participating in changing social environment which could have helped them is clearly depicted. Symbolic interactionists Rosenfeld and Messner are used as symbolic interactionists since their spoken words act as predominant symbols. As one reads the written material of the two, he or she attaches meaning to words written then act according to interpretation of the message given. According to their writings the words written by them have certain meaning which might be different to readers due to varied interpretation. Moreover, Messner and Rosenfeld make us understand the American dream differently hence acting as symbolic integrationists (56). The nation of American has its meaning to the word American Dream but individuals have their own meanings. This shows that macro level of social interpretation is neglected since big picture; other peoples’ views are neglected and yet individual interactions vary. Conflict perspective Messner and Rosenfeld are used to indicate the conflict perspective since negative perspective of society is seen in through their work (7). The recognition that high crimes exist in America is seen through them. Rosenfeld and Messner advocate for social change by indicating that, in United States that monetary value should not be taken as the only value since they recognize that other values are competing for their validation and attention in United States (48). This has led to Anomic pressures in United States leading to favor of success in monetary value by the America’s culture. Rosenfeld and Messner challenges status quo as depicted by anomic pressures which are sustained and nourished by institutional balance of power which the economy dominates (27). High levels of crime, weak social controls and widespread anomie have been promoted by the interplay between companion institutional power balance and American dream. The weak and the poor are dominated by the rich and powerful due to force of social order in America as seen by their dream which recognizes economic power (Bowling& Phillips 11). Furthermore, conflicts in United States are due to inequalities in mainly economic status. Since this depicts economic status only, it is clearly seen that conflict perspective is shown. Rosenfeld and Messner only see the negatives of the American society since their attention is on connecting economic focus of Americans with high crime rates in America. Moreover, Workers are affected by vicious cycle leading to violence and crime. Messner and Rosenfeld do not consider positive aspects of society such as democracy, altruism and civil rights (147). Rosenfeld and Messner give sight to theory of crime at a macro level. Extant perspectives are synthesized in a unique and fresh manner as crimes are depicted in the United States’ society. The difference in serious rates of crimes such as white-collar crimes between other capitalistic countries and United States are explained by the two authors. Higher levels of crime such as murder and robber are seen in United States. The thesis of American dream version is regarded as anomic theory since deviance and crimes have led to contradiction and malintegration. Their argument that if financial legitimate opportunities are blocked people resort to illegitimate opportunities shows that illegitimate opportunities are available for people to choose them (Bowling& Phillips 111.) FILM DISCUSSION Brief discussion of characters Sykes as a character in American Gangster is portrayed as a young person who advocates for social change in the film. His role in the film is to represent the American dream. After all his celebrated works in acting, Syke was killed hence portraying that the American dream is a pessimistic dream. Crime rates have led to the killing of important people in America since education is not given the recognition it deserves since money value is highly recognized. Matza shows that search for happiness or excitement in life is classless. Malice is highly viewed in this character. Matza was an immigrant in America thus suffered as other immigrants. However the happiness obtained indicates that socializing in the society is important as compared to looking for money since money might not make one happy but eradication of vices in the society. Relationships in the film American Gangster Through relationships it is depicted that the black and the police in America were great enemies. This shows high racism in the country. Immigrants suffered a lot since black men had no independent criminal enterprise since Italian mafia was in charge of heroin traffic at that time in United States. This indicates racism of the highest order. At Harlem Street, a man is shot to death by Frank Lucas but no one calls the police or protests. This shows that the blacks lived at pathetic conditions. Based on families men suffered in their relationship since a man is heard saying that he manages and owns his business but he only manages his home. This is a clear indication that management of homes was left to the police thus depriving people their rights as head of families (Bowling& Phillips 134) ·                    Film explanation by the theories The classical theories explain portray what is happening in the films. The functionalism theory is shown by the fact that the crimes being carried out in the society come as a result of people looking focusing on money value to an extent killing others (Bowling& Phillips 234). The police for instance are bribed due to money given a priority. Immigrants are neglected in United States due to them being viewed as liability in the country. However the killing of Sykes indicates that American dream is pessimistic unless social virtues are considered as recognized. Conclusion Rosenfeld and Messner recognize that economic dominance in United States is due to: I. Devaluation of institutional roles and functions for non economic institutions. II. Other institutions accommodating economic requirements in their areas of operation. III. Economic norms penetrating in to other institutional domains. It is evidently seen that effects of poverty on crimes and property depends on structural indicators’ level of non economic institutions’ capacity in ameliorating the impact of criminology on deprivation of economy. I do agree that in America the robberies and killings are due to considering money value in expense of social virtues or other relevant institutions like education. Messner and Rosenfeld theory has been criticized that it does not work due to their failure in connecting their theory with that of Marx (125). Institutional structure is dominated by penetration, accommodation and devaluation in America. The theory is real as we have seen that acts of killing in America depict pessimism in their thesis statement of American Dream. Works cited Bowling and Phillips. Racism, Crime and Justice London: Longman, 2002. Messner & Rosenfeld. Crime and the American dream. Belmont: Wadsworth, 1994. Read More